named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Diamonstein-Spielvogel Youth and Contemporary Music Initiative
Program that expands student engagement with contemporary music through commissions, collaborations with living composers and performers, and exploration of diverse musical genres across all training levels.
Performing Ensembles
Advanced ensembles for singers ages 11–18, including Junior Ensemble (treble voices), Bass Ensemble (changed/changing voices), and Concert Ensemble (premier treble ensemble), offering rigorous training and professional performance opportunities.
Port(al)
Groundbreaking choral production exemplifying the chorus’s commitment to innovative, new works and artistic experimentation.
Pre-Preparatory Division
Play-based music program for children ages 5–6 that builds foundational music skills without auditions, meeting once a week.
Training Divisions
Age-based choral instruction for singers ages 7–18, including Preparatory (7–9), Pre-Teen (10–12), and Teen (13–18) levels, meeting weekly to develop vocal technique and musicianship.
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Music Education and Training Programs 4 activities
- Audition preparation and musicianship classesProvides a 6-week group audition preparation class covering vocal techniques, performance confidence, and mock auditions, alongside ongoing group classes to build music literacy, ear training, and sight-reading for choristers in multiple ensembles.
- Collaborative performances with major artists and orchestrasEngages students in professional-level performances with renowned artists and ensembles including the New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, London Symphony Orchestra, David Byrne, Sir Elton John, and Beyoncé & Jay-Z, performing works by Puccini, Bernstein, Adams, and Orff at venues such as Carnegie Hall and David Geffen Hall.
- Music instruction and choral training for children and youthProvides weekly vocal and music instruction for children and youth ages 5–18, organized by age, skill level, and vocal range, including group classes in musicianship, vocal technique, music theory, and sight-reading. Students are placed in leveled divisions with annual assessments and participate in a September-to-June program.
- Private music lessons and recitalsOffers one-on-one private instruction in voice and piano for choristers ages 7 and up, with tailored lesson packages and end-of-term recitals for students to perform for family and friends.
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Community Choral Rehearsals & Performances 1 activity
- Annual and seasonal choral performancesProduces two major annual concerts—Holiday Harmonies in December and Spring Sings in May—as well as end-of-term recitals and special seasonal performances for students in training and performing ensembles.
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Commissioning New Musical Works 1 activity
- Commissioning and premiering original choral worksCommissions and premieres new music from contemporary composers, including over 120 original works by artists such as Caroline Shaw, Tania León, David Lang, and Philip Glass, as part of a contemporary music initiative.
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Financial Aid and Scholarship Access Programs 1 activity
- Need-based financial aid and subsidized tuitionProvides subsidized tuition to all enrolled families, with 35% receiving additional need-based financial assistance for core programs and elective classes, ensuring equitable access to music education.
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Original Music-Theater and Opera Production 1 activity
- Original choral productions and theatrical performancesProduces and premieres original choral-theatrical works such as _Port(al)_ and the _Silent Voices_ series, presented at venues including the Brooklyn Navy Yard, PS21 Center for Contemporary Performance, and The New Victory Theater.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$2.15M
Contributions & grants$974K45%
Program service revenue$1.07M50%
Investment income$89K4%
Other revenue$20K
expenses
Total expenses$3.19M
Program expenses75%
Admin / overhead12%
Fundraising12%
Salaries & benefits$1.90M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$5.27M
Cash$329K
Investments$3.21M
Liabilities$562K
Net assets$4.70M
Liquid reserves13.3 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -47.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIANNE BERKUN MENAKER | ARTISTIC DIRECTOR | 40 | $195K |
| MEGAN LEMLEY | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $142K |
board members · 22
- AMANDA VAN DOORENE — TRUSTEE
- ANNA MCNEIL — TRUSTEE
- BLAKE ZIDELL — TRUSTEE
- GRACE ROW — TRUSTEE
- JACQUELINE AGUANNO — TRUSTEE
- JESSICA HOLLOWAY — CHAIR
- JOHARI JENKINS TAYLOR — TRUSTEE
- JONATHAN ROUNER — TRUSTEE
- JORDANE ROLLIN — TREASURER (AS OF JAN 25)
- KARA HAILEY — VICE CHAIR
- KAREN ROCKEY — TRUSTEE
- KATHERINE BARTHOLOMAUS — TRUSTEE
- KATHLEEN EMBERGER — SECRETARY
- KRISTI AVRAM — TRUSTEE
- LAUREN ASHCRAFT — TRUSTEE
- NANCY JAMES — TRUSTEE
- NAOMI GARDNER — TRUSTEE
- NICOLAS GRABAR — TRUSTEE/TREASURER (TO DEC 24)
- SABINA CHATTERJEE — TRUSTEE
- SAMUEL NANA-SINKAM — TRUSTEE
- TRACY GARRISON-FEINBERG — TRUSTEE
- YOUNG HAH — TRUSTEE
relationships · 32
Who they work with
- Arcade Fire Partner — Collaborated with the Brooklyn Youth Chorus in past seasons.
- Barbra Streisand Partner — Collaborated with the Brooklyn Youth Chorus in past seasons.
- Beyoncé & Jay-Z Partner — Collaborates on performances
- Carnegie Hall Partner — Performs at Carnegie Hall as part of collaborative productions.
- Cecile McLorin Salvant Partner — Collaborated with the Brooklyn Youth Chorus in the current season.
- David Byrne Partner — Collaborates on performances
- David Geffen Hall Partner — Performance venue for the Brooklyn Youth Chorus' concert with the New York Philharmonic.
- Davone Tines Partner — Collaborated with the Brooklyn Youth Chorus in the current season.
- Dianne Berkun Menaker Partner — Founder & Artistic Director who designed the Cross-Choral Training® method used in instruction.
- Donors Funder — Individual donors provide contributions that support financial aid and help cover the gap between tuition and program costs.
- Equity Sings Partner — Collaborates through Arreon A. Harley-Emerson, who serves as an Artist Advisor to the initiative.
- Francesca Lionetta Partner — Elective faculty member leading the Audition Prep Class
- Grizzly Bear Partner — Collaborated with the Brooklyn Youth Chorus in past seasons.
- Gustavo Dudamel Partner — Reunites with Maestro Gustavo Dudamel for performances.
- Liz Geisewite Partner — Director of Choral Education teaching Musicianship Skills group classes
- London Symphony Orchestra Partner — Collaborated with the Brooklyn Youth Chorus in past seasons.
- Los Angeles Philharmonic Partner — Collaborated with the Brooklyn Youth Chorus in past seasons.
- Los Angeles Philharmonic Partner — Collaborates on performances
- New York Philharmonic Partner — Collaborated with the Brooklyn Youth Chorus in a performance of "On the Transmigration of Souls."
- New York Philharmonic Partner — Collaborated with the Brooklyn Youth Chorus in past seasons.
- New York Philharmonic Partner — Collaborates on performances
- New York Philharmonic Partner — Collaborates with Brooklyn Youth Chorus on performances, including Mendelssohn's A Midsummer Night's Dream.
- New York Philharmonic Partner — Collaborates with the Brooklyn Youth Chorus in a performance of Carmina Burana.
- New York Philharmonic Partner — Collaborates with the New York Philharmonic in performances.
- PS21 Center for Contemporary Performance Partner — Co-presented the performance _Port(al)_ in Chatham, NY.
- Sir Elton John Partner — Collaborated with the Brooklyn Youth Chorus in past seasons.
- Sir Elton John Partner — Collaborates on performances
- Sting Partner — Collaborated with the Brooklyn Youth Chorus in the current season.
- The Diamonstein-Spielvogel Foundation Funder — Provides a generous innovation grant supporting the Diamonstein-Spielvogel Youth and Contemporary Music Initiative.
- The National Partner — Collaborated with the Brooklyn Youth Chorus in past seasons.
+ 2 more
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Artistic Excellence Through Collaboration and Contemporary Repertoiremethodology: artistic_excellence_through_collaborationBy commissioning new works, collaborating with renowned artists and living composers, and performing complex contemporary music, the organization elevates artistic standards and youth engagement because these practices position young singers at the forefront of innovation in choral arts.
- Collaborative Learning for Transferable Life Skillsmethodology: collaborative_learning_environmentBy fostering a collaborative learning environment led by facilitators, the organization builds teamwork, accountability, and life skills because musical dedication in a group setting reinforces mutual responsibility and personal growth beyond performance.
- Cross-Choral Training® as Holistic Vocal Developmentmethodology: cross_choral_trainingBy integrating voice science, healthy vocal technique, music theory, sight-singing, and ear training in a structured sequence, the organization develops versatile and capable young singers across musical genres because this holistic, experiential approach fosters both musical and personal growth.
- Equitable Access Through Financial Supportmethodology: equitable_accessBy offering need-based financial aid and sliding-scale tuition, the organization ensures access to high-quality choral training regardless of economic background because removing financial barriers enables diverse participation and inclusion in rigorous music education.
- Sequential, Age-Based Musical Progressionmethodology: sequential_musical_trainingBy organizing training programs around age, skill, and experience, the organization builds a developmental pathway from beginner to advanced levels because structured, sequential learning reinforces musical literacy and healthy vocal growth over time.